City to decide on how to fill mayor’s post

Gardena Mayor and ex-Los Angeles County Undersheriff Paul Tanaka, who faces up to 15 years in federal prison after he was convicted April 6 on one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and one count of obstruction of justice, will create a vacancy in the mayor’s office after he is sentenced June 20.

In terms of filling the vacant mayor’s seat, there are two options: either hold a special election or have the new mayor chosen by appointment.

Gardena City Councilman Mark Henderson said that because Tanaka is still the mayor of the city, any discussions regarding his replacement will be postponed until after sentencing on June 20. However, discussions regarding his replacement can start of Tanaka chooses to resign his position prior to that date.

“Nothing can be decided until the seat is vacant,” Henderson said. “State and federal law says he can serve in his role until his sentencing date of 6/20 so right now there have been no discussions of what’s going to happen.”

According to state and federal law, Tanaka can continue to serve as mayor until his sentencing date. Tanaka’s attorney Jerome Haig, said that the convicted mayor intends to stay on until his sentence is handed down.

“Every indication is that he will (stay on as mayor),” Haig told the Daily Breeze. “Certainly the people of Gardena want him to stay mayor.”

After Tanaka’s sentencing, one of the things that could happen is a special election being held to find a new mayor. In a special election, potential candidates can file a petition to be placed on the ballot. An election is held and the winner assumes the post vacated by the previous official.

According to the Daily Breeze, once Tanaka is removed from office, the City Council has 60 days to determine whether to appoint a fifth City Council member to replace him or call for a special election to fill the remainder of his term through March 2017, said City Attorney Peter Wallin.

Another option is for the city council to select a mayor by appointment. This involves the collaboration and cooperation of the city council to select someone that all members can get behind and support.

“I feel so bad for him and his family,” said Brenda Jackson, vice president of the Rowley Park Homeowners Association to the Daily Breeze. “He is an amazing mayor. He’s a part of us. I don’t know what to expect from another mayor.”

While the Gardena City Council must look to the future to find a new leader, Tanaka will be forced to pay for his deeds in the past. But how did Tanaka get here?

While serving as second-in-command to Sheriff Lee Baca in 2011, Tanaka was alleged to have orchestrated a plan to thwart an FBI jail investigation by intimidating one of the lead agents in the case, pressuring deputies not to cooperate with investigators, and hiding the location of an inmate who was working as a federal informant.

In court testimony, Tanaka tried to convince the jury that he was unaware of the goings-on of the investigation, claiming that it was Baca who ordered his subordinates to stonewall investigators. Jerome Haig, one of the attorneys defending Tanaka said Baca, and not his client, should have been convicted of the obstruction charges.

The jury was convinced that Tanaka was guilty after they heard recorded phone calls between Baca and Tanaka, invalidating Tanaka’s claim that Baca dealt only with his subordinates.

U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker told the L.A. Canyon News that the jury sent a message that law enforcement corruption was unacceptable.